h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi,
I am Nilanjan. I am a doctoral fellow in molecular biology. I am looking for an explanation on how brain governs our mind? How memory works and what influences our actions? I am sure you will have better understanding than me , so please write back with your opinions in your spare time.
Thanx
Nilanjan

There are four books which are really useful to help understand what our knowledge is at the moment. Search for these at your library (in order of importance):

Damasio, A. The feeling of what happens.
Probably the closest scientist to unifying brain lesions with conscious deficits.

Edelman, G. World of consciousness: How matter becomes imagination.
Neuroscience-based look at consciousness. I talk about his 'dynamic core' hypothesis in my Entry on consciousness.

Crick, F. The astonishing hypothesis.
The discoverer of DNA talks about the visual system and how light-sensitive cells combine to form mental images. A little bit dated, but a good intro.

Dennett, D. Consciousness explained. Or whatever his latest mind-based book is. This is difficult stuff to read, but is a major contender for a theory that unifies evolution, simple brain circuits and mind.

Hope these help. I'm thinking about writing a new guide Entry on Damasio's work... but it'll take a while.

Matt